Treadmill Exercises

Well a week ago I missed my Fitness Friday post because I missed my Friday exercise all together.  But that week prior I touched on outdoor exercising.  In most states especially you southern gals the temperatures are skyrocketing into the 100's more than I can count.  Which means you probably really don't want to exercise in the afternoon and especially outdoors.  Neither would I.  

Instead of hitting the pavement, hit the treadmill with these ideas in mind to burn more calories. All from FitSugar.com

My Personal Favorite:

 

Compete Against Friends (or Strangers)

If you hit the gym with a buddy, do your workouts on side-by-side treadmills. You can use one another's energy for motivation to run faster or longer than you would if you were alone. If you're at the gym solo, find a stranger on a treadmill to secretly race with. 

 

Other Ideas: 

 

Bring Hills Indoors

Pumping up the incline will not only help prevent shin splints, but it also tones your tush, thighs, and calves while burning extra calories. After a 30-minute workout at a 10-minute-per-mile pace, you'll burn 270 calories with no incline, 363 with a five percent incline, 420 with a 10 percent incline, and 482 with a 15 percent incline (crazy steep, I know). 

 

Slow and Steady Doesn't Always Win the Race

On long, slow runs when you need to take it easy, it's great to travel along at a consistent pace. But during your intense workouts, take advantage of intervals. By alternating between running a few minutes at a moderate pace, and throwing in sprinting bursts, you'll end up burning more calories, building your endurance, and becoming a faster, stronger runner. Not to mention, intervals have also been proven to fight belly fat. 

 

I Think I Can, I Think I Can

Whether you prefer chugging along at a consistent speed or doing intervals, to get the most out of your workouts, you've got to make continued progress. One way to do that is to gradually increase your speed. Don't jump from 10-minute miles to eight-minute miles because you could seriously hurt yourself. Instead increase your pace just slightly so your body has time to adjust.

 

No Need to Hold On For Dear Life

You should be moving at a pace that's fast enough to get your heart and muscles working, but not so speedy that you have to hold on in order to prevent falling. When you release your grasp of the handles, it allows you to swing your arms, which will not only burn more calories, but will also tone your core and upper body. Holding on can also contribute to bad posture, which can lead to back and shoulder pain.   

 

Souce Of All These Tips Found Here!

 

I TOTALLY make myself compete with people at the gym.  I always will glance over and see how fast they are running because I either A) Grabbed a treadmill next to superwoman, B) Grabbed a treadmill next to someone with sweat streaming off them or C) Want to prove to myself that superwoman and superman next to me isn't that hot and I can TOTALLY run that fast too.. For a minute or less if they are going really fast.  

While I say to stick inside and beat the heat on a treadmill, I'll be hiking up a mountain for 5 miles in the next few hours.  Eating freeze dried food and making vodka crystal lights (Yup hike in the vodka not the water) and smores! I love camping and getting away but this does put a damper on my fresh manicure from last week.  Hope I catch a fishy this time too!